pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
studied plant pathology
2
: something abnormal:
a
: the structural and functional deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
the pathology of pneumonia
b
: deviation from propriety or from an assumed normal state of something nonliving or nonmaterial
the pathology of wine
c
: deviation giving rise to social ills
connections between these pathologies … and crime—
Wendy Kaminer
Wendy Kaminersocial pathology
Examples of pathology in a Sentence
the pathology of lung diseases
Recent Examples on the Web
In other words, it is tied to organizational context, not individual pathology.
—Sandro Da Silva, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This characteristic texture helped researchers differentiate the lesions caused by osteomyelitis from those caused by other bone pathologies, like osteosarcoma and bone neoplasia (two forms of bone cancer).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Early communicates the pathology of Maddie’s relationship with food by leering at it and consuming it lustfully.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
While earlier space research on stem cells suggested vulnerabilities in more indirect or limited ways, this study provides much clearer evidence of aging, said Elena Kozlova, a professor in the department of immunology, genetics and pathology at Sweden’s University of Uppsala.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathology
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Sandro Da Silva, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This characteristic texture helped researchers differentiate the lesions caused by osteomyelitis from those caused by other bone pathologies, like osteosarcoma and bone neoplasia (two forms of bone cancer).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
Early communicates the pathology of Maddie’s relationship with food by leering at it and consuming it lustfully.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
While earlier space research on stem cells suggested vulnerabilities in more indirect or limited ways, this study provides much clearer evidence of aging, said Elena Kozlova, a professor in the department of immunology, genetics and pathology at Sweden’s University of Uppsala.
—Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathology
Cite this Entry
“Pathology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pathology. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē
plural pathologies
1
: the study of diseases and especially of the changes in the body produced by them
2
: something abnormal
especially
: the disorders in structure and function that occur in a particular disease
Medical Definition
pathology
noun
pa·thol·o·gy
-jē
plural pathologies
1
: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and functional changes produced by them
2
: the anatomic and physiological deviations from the normal that constitute disease or characterize a particular disease
3
: a treatise on or compilation of abnormalities
a new pathology of the eye
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